ORIGINAL RESEARCH

 

Kanegelo ya Nimirode: Re lebelela diphihlelelo tša gagwe ka lefsa

 

The Nimrod story: Reconsidering his achievements

 

 

Elelwani B. Farisani

Department Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, University of South Africa, South Africa

Correspondence

 

 

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ABSTRACT

The Ham/Nimrod story has been used to oppress Black people in South Africa and the USA. This paper looks afresh at Nimrod and attempts to restore his dignity and that of black people. This will be done in five stages below. Firstly, we briefly highlight the identity of Noah's children in order to place into context Nimrod, who is the focus of this study. Secondly, we examine the negative portrayal of Nimrod by certain scholars. Thirdly, we discuss the use of Ham/Nimrod's storyin the oppression or enslavement of black people. Furthermore, we will critique such a use of the story to oppress black people. Fourthly we discuss Nimrod's achievements. The focus here will be on his three major achievements as a great ruler, mighty hunter and builder. The aim of this section is to counter the negative interpretation that Nimrod has previously received. In addition, we will offer a positive interpretation of the curse on Ham/Cush/Nimrod. Fifth and, finally, we willspell out the significance of the Nimrod story for those who have been oppressed and enslaved on the basis of this text. The focus here will be on South Africa.

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Full text available only in PDF format.

 

 

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Correspondence:
Elelwani Farisani
PO Box 392
UNISA 0003
South Africa
Email: fariseb@unisa.ac.za

Received: 15 Nov. 2010
Accepted: 23 Aug. 2011
Published: 15 Nov. 2011